What Happens to Your RRSP When You Die? The Surprising Answer
April 2026

What Happens to Your RRSP When You Die? The Surprising Answer

Your will doesn't control your RRSP, TFSA, or life insurance. Those assets pass through beneficiary designations, and getting them wrong can undo your entire estate plan.

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How Long Does a Real Estate Closing Actually Take in Ontario?
April 2026

How Long Does a Real Estate Closing Actually Take in Ontario?

From accepted offer to keys in hand, an Ontario real estate closing can take shorter or longer than most buyers expect. Barry Bussey walks through the realistic timeline, and what can speed it up or slow it down.

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The Final Walkthrough Before Closing: What Ontario Buyers Should Check
April 2026

The Final Walkthrough Before Closing: What Ontario Buyers Should Check

Your final walkthrough is the last chance to catch problems before keys change hands. Barry Bussey walks through what Peterborough buyers should check, and what to do if something is wrong.

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What Is Civil Law? A Peterborough Civil Litigation Lawyer Explains
April 2026

What Is Civil Law? A Peterborough Civil Litigation Lawyer Explains

When something has gone wrong and you are not sure whether the law can help, civil law is often the answer. Barry Bussey explains how it works in Ontario, the cases he handles, and when to call a civil litigation lawyer.

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No-Contest Clauses in Ontario Wills
March 2026

No-Contest Clauses in Ontario Wills: Can You Really Prevent a Will Challenge?

Learn how no-contest clauses work in Ontario wills, when they are enforceable, and what you need to know to draft one properly.

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How ONCA Affects Your Faith-Based Charity
March 2026

How ONCA Affects Your Faith-Based Charity

ONCA applies to churches, mosques, synagogues, and faith-based charities in Ontario. Barry Bussey explains the unique governance challenges religious organisations face.

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How to Make a Will in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide
March 2026

How to Make a Will in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide

A Peterborough wills lawyer walks you through the process of making a will in Ontario. The legal requirements, the steps involved, what it costs, and the mistakes to avoid.

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What to Expect on Closing Day in Ontario
March 2026

What to Expect on Closing Day in Ontario

A Peterborough real estate lawyer explains what happens on closing day in Ontario, step by step. What your lawyer does, what to expect, and how to avoid last-minute problems.

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Buying a Cottage in the Kawarthas
March 2026

Buying a Cottage in the Kawarthas: A Legal Guide for Ontario Buyers

A Kawarthas cottage purchase comes with legal wrinkles that a typical city home transaction does not. Barry Bussey covers access, title, septic, shoreline rules, and cottage succession planning.

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Estate Planning Basics: What Every Ontario Couple Needs to Know
March 2026

Estate Planning Basics: What Every Ontario Couple Needs to Know

Most people know they should have a will. Fewer actually have one. Barry Bussey explains the essentials of estate planning in Ontario, including wills, powers of attorney, and the mistakes worth avoiding.

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CRA Fax Line Closes April 1, 2026
March 2026

CRA Fax Line Closes April 1: What Every Registered Charity Needs to Do Now

As of April 1, 2026, registered charities will no longer be able to submit documents to the CRA by fax. Here is what you need to do to make the switch to online services.

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Is Your Ontario Nonprofit ONCA-Compliant?
March 2026

Is Your Ontario Nonprofit ONCA-Compliant?

ONCA's transition deadline passed in October 2024. If your nonprofit hasn't updated its governing documents, Barry Bussey explains what needs to happen, and why it's simpler than boards think.

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Can a Spiteful Will Be Challenged in Ontario?
March 2026

Can a Spiteful Will Be Challenged for Lack of Capacity?

When a will cuts out grandchildren who had nothing to do with a family dispute, courts notice. Barry Bussey explains what the Shannon v. Hrabovsky decision means for will challenges in Ontario.

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Understanding Powers of Attorney in Ontario
March 2026

Why Every Ontario Adult Needs a Power of Attorney (Yes, That Means You)

Your will only matters after you're gone. A power of attorney matters while you're still alive. Here's what you need to know about both types.

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Barry Bussey outside The Law Courts
March 2026

My (Very Unusual) Approach to Civil Litigation

Barry Bussey explains how he approaches civil litigation in Peterborough: the kinds of cases he takes, how he works with clients, and what to expect.

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Peterborough Spring Home Buying Checklist
March 2026

Spring Home Buying: Your Legal Checklist for Peterborough

Spring in Peterborough means open houses and bidding wars. After decades of helping people buy homes, here's our checklist of the legal steps involved, in roughly the order you'll encounter them.

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What happens if you die without a will
February 26, 2026

What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Ontario?

Most people assume their spouse or children will simply 'get everything' if they die without a will. In Ontario, that's not how it works. The Succession Law Reform Act takes over, and the results may surprise you.

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Family Day is the perfect time to think about your will
February 2026

Family Day Is the Perfect Time to Think About Your Will

Family Day is for skating, dinners, and catching up with the people who matter most. It’s also one of the best times of the year to have a conversation about your will.

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The Independence of Judicial Conscience
2024

The Independence of Judicial Conscience

The independence of judges to apply their wisdom and training is a foundational concept in a free and democratic society. We give the judiciary latitude to make decisions based on the truth of things as they see it.

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